A Personal Record of Hiroshima A-bomb Survival(No.3)
re-post
Takeharu Terao 91/08/05 13:23
I finally arrived at the college through Takano bridge. All wooden college buildings and dormitories were completely burned down to wreckage. Only the library on the right and the outer frame of the science laboratory buildings at the back were spared. At the side of the front entrance, a burnt corpse of a horse was left releasing intolerable stench.
Realizing nothing was left, I went to the burnt down site of the Hashimotos,
my
friend whose husband went to war and only the women were left. Since I had
helped them by building an underground bomb shelter and put important
things
into it, I was worrying about them.
I was relieved to find evidence of the buried things dug out, because that
was a sign that my friends survived.( Several years ago, I went to
Hiroshima
but there was no clue to ask whereabouts of Hashimoto's family.)
Then I walked down to Shiragamisha through the avenue of the Street Car to
get a
sufferer certificate in front of the municipal square. I didn't care at all
my miserable feature wrapped in bandages because almost all people were
injured and wandered around the streets like zombies in bandages, also. A
street
car burned down with only a steel frame
remaining sat in the center of the street. Electric
poles were tilted and burnt wires were swinging inside the window.
I turned left at the crossing of Kamiya block and walked down through the
wreckage of Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall( later called
A-bomb dome), the T-shaped bridge of Aioi, Dobashi, and the Fukushima
district. I
continued walking heading toward the Ibi district.
As far as the eye could reach, all the town was burnt down to ashes, dotted
with outer concrete walls of what once were the buildings. Burnt tin plates
were making creaky noises in the radioactive window. I passed the debris,
wreckage
avoiding rug-covered dead bodies.
I finally arrived at Ibi station through the death town where there was no
sign of even a single life, filled with the smell of the corpses. I got
on a Miyajima street car and went back to the inn. I strolled around the
death town for eight days, several hours each day. How silly I was. I
really regret my foolish behavior of wandering.
No more. I don't want to
witness again such a hell on earth. I don't want to even recollect it. This
is the limit of what I can post.
Let me say the last word: It is now the peaceful world. We live in affluent
material
and freedom of speech. I often feel strange why I am still alive? I may
be probably "made alive." I only have the sense of gratitude,
no complaint or dissatisfaction. I always appreciate the society. I wish I
can
give something back to the society.
Photo by US Army
Looking at the hypocenter in the west direction
from Hacchobori, the center of the City.
The Shoko Chukin Building is shown on this side. The streetcar remains
derailed and
people are walking along them. The A-bomb Dome appears at the top right.
response Kenji Katsuragi 91/08/05 21:16
I would like let my student read your "Story Dear Mr.Terao, Teller."
May
I
copy your memoir to my university's net?
Ken
response Akiko Goto 91/08/05 22:06
I don't know why my eyes are filled with tears.
Tomorrow we will
have a "Peace
Lesson."
It will be a movie showing.
I will not turn away my eyes
from it. I will
directly gaze at it.
Thank you for your memoir.
response@Ryoji Matsumura 91/08/05 22:08
Dear Mr.Terao, I deeply appreciate your publishing the memoir. The
message
from those who actually experienced have the strongest power to affect our
hearts.
I am eager to have young people and our children read your
experience. Your words "No more. I don't like to even recall it. This is
the
limit I can post" fills me with awe.
I would like to hand down your
brave will
to many networkers. Dr. Katsuragi and I are in the same opinions.
I am
really
happy to be involved in PC communication...... I deeply think so, though I
don't know why.
response Yasuo Shimizu 91/08/05 22:53
Thank you for your precious memoir. Although my parents seldom talk about
their
experiences about the life under the war.
They frantically escaped from
barrage from ultra-low flying fighter planes.
They also used to talk on
food shortage. We must not waste by any means such an important
experience.
Although I am one of those who did not experienced the war, I will accept
it
as a firm, concrete fact.
response Izumi Aizu 91/08/06 02:06
Today is the memorial day of Hiroshima A-bomb.
It is now past midnight,
so
today is the 6th of August. Mr.Terao's talk using the first person has a
strong persuasive.
When I was in high school, I read many books and
records on
A-bomb.
But I seldom heard directly from a person who actually
experienced it.
Thank you for your precious memoir which reflects your sense of modesty and
mission.
It is our task to discuss how to read the memoir.
response Shuuji Asai 91/08/06 03:06
Mr.Terao's precious memoir.
I couldn't read it after all.
I turned
away my eyes
from it.
My conflicting heart,
I will, I must read but I don't like
to
read....
I lost myself.
Sorry.
To the next
page
|